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Free
Fashion and Cosmetic Workshop, Jan 29
Females Ages 10+. Enjoy a day with some of Beijing’s top makeup instructors and stylists, and learn about how to dress for different occasions, do hair, and do your own make up. Free. 9am-until. Beijing Broadcasting Tower. (https://www.douban.com/event/27865976/).
Unique
Rice Cakes and Chinese New Year Hampers, Jan 23 to Feb 11
Ages 8+. Celebrate the Year of the rooster this festive season with our Chinese Rice Cakes and Chinese New Year Hamper to pamper your friends and family. Executive Chef Chan Yuen Lung has created authentic delightful Chinese Celebration Rice Cakes, including Rice Cake Hamper and Turnip Cake Hamper to helping share your wishes to your beloved family and friends. RMB 168 (Rice Cake Hamper), RMB 58 (Turnip Cake Hamper). 9am-10pm. Langham Place. (010-64575555).
World Treasure Acrobatic Show, Jan 23-31
All ages. A great event for kids, World Treasure uses traditional acrobatic maneuvers to tell the story of a clown looking for treasure. Funny and thrilling, this event by the Chinese National Acrobatic Troupe is a good time for the whole family, with a fun story for the kids and thrilling acrobatic feats to keep mom and dad entertained. RMB 180, RMB 280, RMB 380. 7.30pm-9.30pm. The China National Children’s Center. (https://www.douban.com/event/28055282/).
3R Workshop for Ayi, Jan 22 to February 26
Adults. Based on Chinese culture and mindset, Little Parkwill will provide your Ayi the easiest way to understand child development and the basic principles of RIE® approach. After 3 sessions, an assessment, and post-assistance will fully support for a better educational environment at home. RMB 600 (Whole workshop, Discount applies to Little Park Families); RMB 260 (one session if you prefer to try first). 2pm-4pm. Little Park Children.
Chinese New Year Workshops: Surrealism, Jan 23 to Jan 30
Ages 5-12. Through exploring surrealist techniques such as collages, exquisite corpses, 3D works, etching, automatic writing and drawing students will discover new artists such as Magritte, Dali, De Chirico, Escher, Ernst and their impressive and imaginative art works. RMB 1800 (RMB 1500 for both atelier’s students and who registered before the 10th of January). 10am-12am (5-8 years old), 1:30pm-4:00pm (8-12 years old). Atelier Art School.
Chinese New Year Cuisine at The Hutong, Jan 25
All ages. Get ready for the New Year Hutong-style! The Hutong’s chefs will share the culinary traditions and dishes of the Spring Festival. RMB 300 (non-members), RMB 260 (members). 10.30am-1pm. The Hutong. (http://thehutong.com/chinese-new-year-cuisine/).
Stone Valley Great Wall Loop Hike, Jan 27
All ages. On this hike the Beijing Hikers will make a loop out of Stone Valley Village and hike the same line of wall as the Middle Route of the Switchback Great Wall hike. Bring good footwear because this hike is not for amateurs. RMB 420 (non-members), RMB 380 (members). The Great Wall (Stone Valley).
Moyashike Valley and Jiankou’s ‘Big West’ Great Wall, Jan 29
All ages. Join Beijing Hikers on this reasonably tough hike where they will follow hills trails and climb up and down valleys on the way to the Great Wall on the west side of the Jiankou basin. They will also also hike towards Nine-Eyes Tower, and then follow hill trails to finish with snacks and drinks at Xizhazi Village at Jiankou. RMB 420 (non-members), RMB 380 (members). 8.30am-6pm. The Great Wall (Moyashike Valley & Jiankou).
White River Ice Hike, Jan 29
All ages. Follow a trail that crosses a frozen river in Miyun District, walking down a long canyon and passing below cliffs on the way to the end. We’ll cross the river about eight times, and when not slipping and sliding on the ice we’ll be admiring the excellent scenery. RMB 400 (non-member adults), RMB 360 (members, RMB 200 (under 12’s). 9am-6pm. Beijing Hikers. (info@beijinghikers.com, +86 (10) 6432-2876).
Best of Next Week
Sunny Spring Camp, Jan 30 to Feb 3
Ages 6+. Sunny days are here again and it’s the perfect time to spring ahead with learning new skills and games at Adventure Zone’s Sunny Spring Camp! Revitalize your plans with fun sports such gymnastics, martial arts, swimming and sword choreo guided by expert coaches. RMB 3200 (1 week, half day), RMB 6188 (2 weeks, half day), RMB 4500 (1 week, full day), RMB 8888 (2 weeks, full day). 9am-2.30pm. Kerry Adventure Zone. (hbkc@thekerryhotels.com, wechat: kerryhotelbeijing, 8565 2460).
Lunar New Year Overnight, Jan 30
Ages 8+. On this two-day trip to the area you’ll walk the streets of well-preserved Yuxian Ancient City, visiting the pavilions and pagodas, as well as visiting Jimingyi, the remnants of a Ming Dynasty postal relay center. RMB 1,800 (RMB 1,620 for members, RMB 1,200 for under 12\’s). 8.30am-8pm. Beijing Hikers.
Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall Hike, Feb 1
Ages 8+. Hike the Huanghuacheng Great Wall in Beijing’s Huairou District, starting off on an unrestored stretch and following it over the hills to a restored section and then up, over, and down a mountain to finish at a countryside restaurant near a scenic reservoir. RMB 400 (RMB 360 for members, RMB 200 for under 12’s). 9am-6pm. Beijing Hikers.
Longqingxia Ice Festival and Tang Dynasty Caves, Feb 1
Ages 8+. The Beijing Hikers will travel to Yanqing County to visit a valley and find an ancient interconnected series of cave dwellings. This trip is suitable for children (no pushchairs, though) – it’s very easy, and the sight of the cave dwellings is sure to spark the imagination. After visiting the caves there will be an early dinner out in the country before heading for the Longqingxia Ice Festival. RMB 500 (RMB 450 for members, RMB 250 for under 12s). 12pm-10pm. Beijing Hikers.
“MY” Jiaozi Party, Feb 1
All ages. Join Café Zarah on February 1st for their annual “MY”-Jiaozi Party and celebrate the New Year. Zarah will be organizing a big reunion dinner with communal cooking tables where they will teach you the art of dumpling making! RMB 88/per person includes all-you-can-eat-dumplings and one drink. Complimentary for kids aged below 6. 6pm-until. Café Zarah.
Spring Festival Taichi Workshop, Feb 5
Embrace the refreshing spring air for 2 hours instruction in Yang Style Taichi, learning the beginners 8 Step Form. Instruction will be from a native-English speaking taichi coach from the UK, and will cover warmups, dynamic stretching, taichi form, applications and qigong cool down exercises. RMB 200. 2pm-4pm. CK Martial Hearts Kung Fu Boutique. (train@ckmartialhearts.com)
China National Theater for Children’s Drama Malan Flower, Feb 6
All ages. The establishment of the Holiday Classic Theater is not only a new exploration in the field of artistic creation, but also a whole new attempt in performing and business philosophy. The large and little theaters add radiance and beauty to each other each other and are bound to create a top art gallery for contemporary Chinese children’s drama. RMB 80-400. 7.30am-9.30am. National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). (for more info call the hotline at 400-610-3721 or 10103721 or send E-mail to ponypiao@damai.cn)